Teenager Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Friend

A Pierre teen was in court on Friday, accused of shooting and killing his friend.

16-year-old Braiden McCahren faces many charges including first-degree murder in connection to the December shooting death of 16-year-old Dalton Williams.

McCahren arrived at the Hughes County Courthouse in Pierre Friday morning. McCahren was initially charged with first-degree murder, but a grand jury also added attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges.

On December 18, McCahren was at his house with Williams and another teen identified as T.Y. According to the affidavit, an argument broke out between T.Y. and McCahren over a paintball incident and they began to wrestle around jokingly. The documents then claim McCahren retrieved a semi-automatic shotgun and pointed it at T.Y. who reportedly heard the gun click. McCahren then allegedly loaded the gun.

As T.Y. tried to leave the house, authorities say a single shot was fired, hitting Williams in the chest. Emergency crews and law enforcement were called to the scene shortly before 5:30 p.m. Williams later died from the shot.

The arraignment on Friday was over in a matter of minutes, but it was long enough for McCahren to plead not guilty on all counts.

McCahren is being held in the Hughes County Jail with no bond. He is expected back in court later this month.